Rocket barrage targets base housing U.S., coalition forces

BAGHDAD — A barrage of rockets hit a base housing U.S. and other coalition troops north of Baghdad on Saturday, Iraqi security officials said, just days after a similar attack killed three servicemen, including two Americans.

The U.S.-led coalition said at least 25 107mm rockets struck Camp Taji just before 11 a.m. Some struck the area where coalition forces are based, while others fell on air defense units, the Iraqi military statement said.

Five people were wounded in the attack — three coalition members and two Iraqi soldiers, according to spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition Myles Caggins. Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesman, said three U.S. service members were wounded. He said Iraqi security forces made an arrest.

A statement from Iraq’s military said the “brutal aggression” wounded a number of air defense personnel who remain in critical condition, but did not provide a number.

Iraqi forces later discovered seven platforms from which the rockets were fired north of Baghdad. Another 24 missiles were discovered in place and ready to launch.

The earlier rocket attack against Camp Taji on Wednesday also killed a British serviceman. It prompted American air strikes Friday against what U.S. officials said were mainly weapons facilities belonging to Kataib Hezbollah, the Iranbacked militia group believed to be responsible.

However, Iraq’s military said those strikes killed five security force members and a civilian, while wounding five fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella organization of militias, including some Iran-backed groups.

Anmar Khalil / Associated Press Mourners in Najaf carry coffins of two fighters of the Popular Mobilization Forces who were killed in a U.S. attack Thursday.